ChatGPT with ads: 'Free-user monetization' coming in 2026? | MarTech
Briefly

OpenAI may launch an advertising product for ChatGPT in the coming year, with projections estimating substantial revenue from "free user monetization." According to internal documents, OpenAI anticipates a billion dollars in revenue by 2026, growing to nearly $25 billion by 2029. Although initial statements from executives, including the CFO and CEO, indicated resistance to advertising, the potential market of 600 million users presents a lucrative opportunity for advertisers. The shift to ad support could represent a major change in OpenAI's existing revenue model, which was previously focused on subscription-based payments.
In December, OpenAI's CFO stated, "Our current business is experiencing rapid growth...we have no active plans to pursue advertising," indicating past hesitations towards ads.
OpenAI forecasts a staggering growth, estimating $1 billion in new revenue from free user monetization by 2026, potentially reaching $25 billion by 2029.
ChatGPT's capacity as an ad-supported product signifies a substantial market opportunity, yet it represents a significant shift in the company's revenue strategy.
CEO Sam Altman expressed a disdain for ads, saying, "I kind of hate ads just as an aesthetic choice...I like that people pay for ChatGPT and know their answers aren't influenced by advertisers."
Read at MarTech
[
|
]